Some things just aren’t designed to scare you and that is particularly true of blue collar country like you will find on Steven L Smith’s album “Outside of Tupelo”. There’s no hint of controversy to be found anywhere on it but in its place you get straight shooting words and music that will no doubt resonate with many.
That feeling of running in straight line pervades all the songs – even the vaguely decadent “Woman On A Pole” – as there is always a route to a conventional happy ending in there and you can’t help but feel uplifted by the likes of “Firm Believer” or “I Stole The Bible”. The relaxed musicianship contributes to the laidback, mellow feel created by Mr Smith’s rich, gravelly tones and you’re never in doubt that these musicians know what they are doing and that’s much the same feeling that I get when I listen to Mr Smith’s contemporaries Doug DeJoe and The Bloomlaters for example. Music for adults, in other words.
“Outside of Tupelo” easily makes the grade here and all it really lacks is that one killer song that would stamp the name of Steven L Smith on the public consciousness.